Onalaska ISD superintendent resigns after quarterback comment

Onalaska ISD Superintendent Lynn Redden has resigned after saying "you can't count on a black quarterback" on Facebook.>>>See other racially charged incidents that have made Texas headlines in recent years ...

Onalaska ISD Superintendent Lynn Redden has resigned after saying "you can't count on a black quarterback" on Facebook.>>>See other racially charged incidents that have made Texas headlines in recent years ...

Redden received swift public backlash for his comment, including from defensive end J.J. Watt, who called it "unfortunate" and "very ignorant."

Redden, who is white, apologized in his resignation letter and said the comments "have been an embarrassment to the district, my family, friends and to me."

His resignation is effective Sunday.

"As an educator, this experience has taught me that I still have a lot to learn," Redden wrote to board president Ted Wiggins. "My comments were not only uninformed but also hurtful, and I understand now why they were offensive to so many people."

Redden earned a base salary of $113,006 for the 2017-18 school year, Texas Education Agency records show. The district will pay him for unused personal and leave days at his current daily rate, according to a copy of Redden's voluntary separation agreement provided to the Chronicle.

The school board, which accepted Redden's resignation letter after holding a closed meeting Saturday, issued a statement Saturday stating that it "does not condone negative comments or actions toward any race."

"The district values every individual, and therefore the district will take the appropriate measures to address the situation expeditiously and completely," the statement said.

Attempts to reach members of the district's board and administration were not successful. Ashley Maichetti, executive assistant to the superintendent's office, declined to comment.

Redden served as the district's civil rights coordinator and its Title IX coordinator, according to federal documents. Title IX ensures compliance with federal sex discrimination laws. About 1,100 students attend Onalaska ISD, located about 100 miles north of Houston. Of those, 86 percent are white and less than 2 percent are black, according to 2017-18 data from the TEA. More than 70 percent come from low-income families.

Watson, asked if he believed Redden should be fired, said, "I only worry about what I can control." Redden apologized to Watson directly in his resignation letter.

"I recognize that given the opportunity to respond by criticizing or belittling me, he chose peace and positivity instead," Redden wrote.

Texans coach Bill O'Brien said, "Deshaun represents everything that's right about football and life. It's amazing that BS exists, but it does."

Redden said he mistakenly thought he was responding to a friend's private message. He deleted the post, but Spring resident Matt Ericksen sent the Chronicle screenshots of the comment Monday.

In his resignation letter, Redden said he hoped people would remember him for his "body of work over 42 years in public education, rather than by my unwarranted and inappropriate comments."